Must-watch Medical Dramas: The Ultimate TV Shows Like Chicago Med

In contrast to traditional medical dramas, shows like Chicago Med skillfully combine the intense world of medicine with the realities of working in a hospital. Wolf Entertainment's Chicago franchise has gained significant popularity with Chicago Med, a series that consistently challenges Dick Wolf's Chicago Fire for the top spot on NBC's Wednesday night fan base. One of the main reasons for its success is Chicago Med's shift from purely entertaining content to incorporating a more realistic portrayal of the hospital environment. While medical procedural shows are not uncommon, Chicago Med manages to set itself apart.

The show revolves around specific medical cases at the fictional Gaffney Chicago Medical Center and also delves into the personal lives of its characters, striking a balance between action and emotion. Despite the departure of certain characters in a dramatic manner, Chicago Med manages to captivate viewers and keep them engaged each season. With captivating plot twists that allow characters to grow, the series distinguishes itself from other medical dramas in a way that only a Dick Wolf program can. While Chicago Med is unique in its own right, there are plenty of other medical dramas in a similar vein.

12 The Cleaning Lady (2022 - Present)

The Cleaning Lady, unlike Chicago Med, centers around a determined doctor who faces challenges in delivering medical care without the support of a hospital or a professional team. Thony De La Rosa, an illegal immigrant from the Philippines, possesses surgical qualifications but is unable to obtain a medical license in the US. As a result, she cleans up after criminals while providing healthcare to fellow immigrants. While shows like Chicago Med typically highlight the hospital environment, The Cleaning Lady takes on the form of a gripping crime drama. Packed with unexpected turns and suspenseful moments, the series offers a fresh interpretation of the principle "first, do no harm."

You can watch The Cleaning Lady on streaming platforms such as Max, Hulu, DirecTV, and Fubo TV.

11 Biohackers (2020 - 2021)

Chicago Med has touched on synthetic biology scenes, but none have delved as deep as Netflix's Biohackers. This thrilling series follows the journey of a biotechnology student at the University of Freiburg who uncovers the truth that her lecturer is responsible for her brother's tragic death in a clinical trial. Caught between seeking revenge and pursuing her goal of becoming a superior biotechnologist, she faces difficult choices. While Biohackers may not have an extensive ensemble cast or the same level of intensity as Chicago Med, it explores similar themes of medicine, family, and ethical practices. Stream Biohackers now on Netflix.

10 This Is Going To Hurt (2022)

Shows like Chicago Med bring a fresh perspective and challenge the norms of the format. This Is Going to Hurt goes a step further by breaking the fourth wall and directly engaging with viewers. Set in the obstetrics department of an NHS hospital, the series revolves around a group of young doctors just trying to survive. Similar to their counterparts in Chicago Med, these doctors occasionally break protocol in order to provide the best care for their patients. However, unlike Chicago Med, This Is Going to Hurt takes a comedic approach to address the high-pressure environment of a bustling hospital. The show mainly focuses on the doctors' professional challenges rather than delving into their personal lives.

You can stream This Is Going to Hurt on Prime Video, AMC Plus, and The Roku Channel.

9 Transplant (2020 - Present)

Bashir Hamed, a skilled Syrian doctor, is attempting to rebuild his career in Canada in the series Transplant. His journey into emergency medicine closely mirrors that of Dr. Noah Sexton in Chicago Med, though with more tragic circumstances. Transplant delves into the lives of doctors, both in and outside the hospital, akin to Chicago Med. However, it uniquely focuses on the perspective of an immigrant doctor striving to navigate the cultural and procedural differences between the two countries. Both exceptional medical dramas share a powerful emotional bond between doctors and patients, as well as the intense atmosphere of hospital life. Transplant can be streamed on Peacock and NBC.

8 License To Kill (2019 - 2020)

Chicago Med has treated numerous instances of professional malpractice, but none compare to the shocking cases presented on License to Kill. This investigative reality show, hosted by renowned plastic surgeon Terry Dubrow (also known for hosting Botched), delves into the world of medical practitioners who intentionally harm rather than save lives. This starkly contrasts the fictionalized drama of shows like Chicago Med. While it may lack the scripted intensity, License to Kill's scrutiny of medical malpractice and compelling victim interviews make it a captivating complement to Chicago Med.

is available to stream on Fubo TV, Spectrum, and Oxygen

7 The Resident (2018 - 2023)

In the realm of captivating medical dramas that leave viewers craving more, The Resident stands tall among its peers. Reminiscent of the allure found in Chicago Med, this gripping series centers around the dedicated personnel of Chastain Park Memorial Hospital, led by the skillful Conrad Hawkins, a senior resident doctor. Just like its counterpart, The Resident skillfully weaves together gripping hospital scenes with compelling narratives delving into the personal lives of its characters. However, The Resident takes it a step further by shedding light on the intricate web of bureaucratic practices within hospital management and how they impact both doctors and patients. Through this lens, the show masterfully showcases the intertwining of wealth and medicine, surpassing the portrayal seen in Chicago Med.

The Resident is available to stream on Hulu, DirecTV, Fubo TV, Fox Now, and Spectrum

6 St. Elsewhere (1982 - 1988)

Medical dramas like Chicago Med have received acclaim for revolutionizing the genre, but they owe a significant debt to the pioneering '80s series St. Elsewhere. Similar to Chicago Med, the show is set in a busy hospital, focusing on the everyday struggles and triumphs of doctors and nurses instead of sensational medical miracles. St. Elsewhere also boasted a large and diverse cast of characters, each contributing their own unique qualities, much like the ensemble in Chicago Med. Despite the controversial reception of its finale, St. Elsewhere successfully balanced procedural elements with character development, mirroring the approach taken by its contemporary counterpart.

St. Elsewhere is available to stream on Hulu

5 Five Days At Memorial (2022)

The miniseries Five Days at Memorial condenses the compelling storylines of an entire season of Chicago Med into just eight episodes. Set in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the series chronicles the extraordinary measures taken by the staff at Memorial Hospital in New Orleans. With high-stakes action and a gripping atmosphere, this miniseries surpasses the ordinary setting of Chicago Med. Dr. Anna Pou, the central character, juggles the pressure of emergency cases while facing the looming threat of losing her own family in the hurricane. Despite the tragedies, the show maintains an uplifting spirit, highlighting the power of teamwork, much like Chicago Med.

Five Days at Memorial is available to stream on Apple TV Plus

4 Nightwatch (2015 - Present)

Nightwatch is a reality series that offers an unfiltered look at the night shift experiences of police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical teams. While it may lack the polished drama of shows like Chicago Med, it presents viewers with a more authentic portrayal of emergency medicine through its collection of similar cases. With the fourth and fifth seasons focusing on different U.S. cities in each episode, Nightwatch captures the intensity of real-life emergency medical situations, often paralleling the shocking moments depicted in Chicago Med.

Nightwatch is available to stream on Discovery Plus, Hulu, Pluto TV, and Freevee

3 Resident Alien (2021 - Present)

Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle, an extraterrestrial being, crash-landed on our planet and assumed the identity of a real doctor. In his quest to save humanity, he must quickly grasp the intricacies of medicine while tackling numerous challenges. While not quite as abundant in hospital ward scenes as Chicago Med, Resident Alien infuses the realm of science fiction into the realm of medical drama. With outrageously incorrect diagnoses and reliance on Google for surgical instructions, Resident Alien injects the comedic element that often eludes traditional medical dramas. Nonetheless, similar to its Chicago Med counterpart, Resident Alien forges strong connections amongst its ensemble cast and characters, albeit without the same level of dramatic twists and turns.

Resident Alien is available to stream on Peacock and NBC

2 Nurse Jackie (2009 - 2015)

Nurse Jackie sets itself apart from other medical dramas like Chicago Med by focusing on the singular journey of emergency room nurse Jackie Peyton. Juggling her high-pressure job with a worsening addiction to pills, Jackie's story unravels with a dark comedic twist. Despite the contrasting tone, Nurse Jackie shares similar themes of medical challenges and the complexities of hospital bureaucracy with Chicago Med. The show delves into the characters' personal lives just as much as their professional struggles, creating a multi-dimensional narrative. Furthermore, the exceptional writing of Nurse Jackie makes it a must-watch for any avid TV viewer.

Nurse Jackie is available to buy on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Vudu, and Redbox

1 New Amsterdam (2018 - 2023)

New Amsterdam, consistently one of the most popular medical dramas during its time on the air, approached its subject matter with a greater level of intensity and realism compared to even Chicago Med. The series follows Dr. Max Goodwin, a newly appointed managing director at the struggling New Amsterdam Public Hospital, who must revamp the entire institution despite limited resources. Unlike Chicago Med, New Amsterdam focuses less on romantic and family-oriented storylines, allowing for a stronger emphasis on the hospital environment and heightened dramatic tension. Additionally, the show takes a more authentic approach to portraying workplace relationships within a hospital setting.

New Amsterdam is available to stream on Peacock, DirecTV, Netflix, Fubo TV, NBC, and Spectrum